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Alessia Russo now has four goals in the WSL for Arsenal this season after netting twice against Chelsea

Arsenal put in a brilliant display in front of a record crowd at Emirates Stadium to record a humbling victory over champions Chelsea, ensuring the defence of their Women's Super League title will not be an easy one.

The Gunners are now level on points with the leaders, who are ahead only on goal difference after nine matches following their defeat in front of 59,042 people - a new WSL record.

England forward Beth Mead gave Arsenal the perfect start when she fired in the opener after just eight minutes but Chelsea responded against the run of play to equalise through Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd.

Chelsea's goal did little to kick them into gear and instead ignited even more energy from Arsenal, who went on to dominate the first half and saw out their victory after the break.

Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger failed to make contact when she came out to collect a corner and left Amanda Ilestedt with an open goal for Arsenal's second, and the Gunners were 3-1 up at half-time thanks to a cool Alessia Russo finish.

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes was visibly frustrated throughout and made three changes at half-time, as well as a formation switch, in an attempt to turn things around.

But while it slowed some of Arsenal's momentum, Chelsea never really looked like getting back into the game and Russo confirmed the three points were staying in north London when she added a fourth goal from the penalty spot.

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Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text

Line-upsArsenal Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

1Zinsberger15McCabe28Ilestedt3Wubben-Moy7Catley21Pelova13Wälti9Mead10Little19Foord23Russo

1Zinsberger15McCabeBooked at 54mins28Ilestedt3Wubben-Moy7CatleySubstituted forMaritzat 76'minutesBooked at 82mins21PelovaBooked at 87minsSubstituted forCooney-Crossat 90+3'minutes13Wälti9MeadSubstituted forLacasseat 75'minutes10LittleSubstituted forMaanumat 61'minutesBooked at 84mins19FoordBooked at 56mins23RussoSubstituted forBlacksteniusat 76'minutes

Substitutes

5Beattie11Miedema12Maanum14D'Angelo16Maritz24Lacasse25Blackstenius27Codina32Cooney-Cross

Chelsea Women

Formation 4-2-3-1

30Berger15Périsset18Mjelde7Carter21Charles6Nüsken22Cuthbert19Rytting Kaneryd17Fleming10James20Kerr

30Berger15PérissetSubstituted forLawrenceat 45'minutes18MjeldeSubstituted forBuchananat 45'minutes7Carter21Charles6NüskenSubstituted forKirbyat 45'minutes22Cuthbert19Rytting KanerydSubstituted forReitenat 64'minutes17Fleming10JamesBooked at 70minsSubstituted forFishelat 75'minutes20Kerr

Substitutes

1Musovic2Fishel5Ingle11Reiten12Lawrence14Kirby24Hampton26Buchanan33Beever-Jones

Referee:Rebecca WelchAttendance:59,042Match StatsHome TeamArsenal WomenAway TeamChelsea WomenPossessionHome48%Away52%ShotsHome12Away12Shots on TargetHome5Away6CornersHome5Away2FoulsHome16Away12Live Text Post update

Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Chelsea Women 1.

90'+9'Full Time

Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Chelsea Women 1.

90'+8'Post update

Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Kadeisha Buchanan.

90'+7'Post update

Attempt saved. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Fran Kirby.

90'+6'Post update

Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

90'+6'Post update

Foul by Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women).

90'+5'Post update

Attempt missed. Cloé Lacasse (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Stina Blackstenius.

90'+4'Post update

Attempt saved. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jessie Fleming.

90'+3'Substitution

Substitution, Arsenal Women. Kyra Cooney-Cross replaces Victoria Pelova.

90'+2'Post update

Attempt missed. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) header from very close range is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross following a set piece situation.

90'+1'Post update

Foul by Ashley Lawrence (Chelsea Women).

90'+1'Post update

Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

90'Post update

Attempt blocked. Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Kerr.

90'Post update

Attempt missed. Mia Fishel (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Sam Kerr.

89'Post update

Offside, Arsenal Women. Caitlin Foord is caught offside.

88'Post update

Attempt missed. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the right side of the six yard box misses to the left. Assisted by Guro Reiten with a cross.

87'Post update

Attempt blocked. Sam Kerr (Chelsea Women) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Guro Reiten with a cross.

87'Booking

Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

86'Post update

Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

86'Post update

Foul by Victoria Pelova (Arsenal Women).

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Source: bbc.com